A contractor for Allied London’s Old Granada Studios will be appointed next year following an overhauled planning application, with formerly-preferred main contractor Wates no longer working on the project.

Wates was originally the preferred contractor for the scheme in Manchester when plans were first submitted in 2015, having prepared a construction method statement and phasing plan. This was broken down into a two-year construction programme.

However, it is understood that Allied London will restart discussions with construction firms for the project early next year, with a view to appointing a contractor by the summer.

Contractors who have recently worked with Allied London on commercial projects include Bam on No 1 Spinningfields, and McLaren on the XYZ Building.

The developer submitted a revised planning application for the mixed-use project last month, increasing hotel space, adding rooftop swimming pools, and replacing an eight-storey office with a 10-storey residential block.

The fresh designs by Levitt Bernstein replace the original planning application, which was granted in October 2015.

The wider development includes a 210-bed hotel in the refurbished Granada TV office building, which will be operated as a Mollie Motel & Diner by members’ club operator Soho House. The previous application included a 150-bed hotel.

The planning application has also added a 4,000 sq ft glazed rooftop extension to the Granada TV building, housing a bar and restaurant for hotel guests.

The developer also plans to replace a planned glazed arcade, which would have run through to Atherton Street, with a modular workspace block. Designed to house start-ups and SMEs, the addition forms part of Allied London’s wider Enterprise City brand.

Additional space at the Granada television studios will be kept for use as an events venue and as a studio facility. Studios 02, 06, 08, and 12 will all be retained as part of the plans. Studio 08 was originally slated to be demolished in the original proposals.

In another departure from the original planning application, a 10-storey residential and office block will be built in place of the originally-proposed eight-storey office block on Atherton Street. This will include 22 apartments alongside 26,400 sq ft of office space over four floors.

The block will also house two retail units at ground floor level. An existing four-storey office building will be demolished to make way for this part of the project.